U.S. patent application number 14/997752 was filed with the patent office on 2017-07-20 for simulating process variable changes during process runtime.
The applicant listed for this patent is International Business Machines Corporation. Invention is credited to Ling Lan, Xin Peng Liu, Shu Chao Wan, Liang Wang, Yue Wang, Jing Jing Wei, Yu Zhang, Dian Guo Zou.
Application Number | 20170206153 14/997752 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59314652 |
Filed Date | 2017-07-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170206153 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lan; Ling ; et al. |
July 20, 2017 |
SIMULATING PROCESS VARIABLE CHANGES DURING PROCESS RUNTIME
Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems
for simulating variable changes during runtime of a process. The
method includes recording variable changes and process context, and
filtering sensitive content from the variable changes and process
context. The recorded variable changes are recorded into a timeline
containing the change in values to the variable changes, which is
executed in a simulation environment, in order to debug the
process.
Inventors: |
Lan; Ling; (Austin, TX)
; Liu; Xin Peng; (Beijing, CN) ; Wan; Shu
Chao; (Beijing, CN) ; Wang; Liang; (Beijing,
CN) ; Wang; Yue; (Beijing, CN) ; Wei; Jing
Jing; (Beijing, CN) ; Zhang; Yu; (Beijing,
CN) ; Zou; Dian Guo; (Beijing, CN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
International Business Machines Corporation |
Armonk |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
59314652 |
Appl. No.: |
14/997752 |
Filed: |
January 18, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 11/3636 20130101;
G06F 11/3664 20130101; G06F 11/362 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06F 11/36 20060101
G06F011/36 |
Claims
1. A method for simulating variable changes, the method comprising:
during runtime of a process, recording, by one or more processors,
a set of variable changes and a process context; filtering, by one
or more processors, sensitive content from the set of variable
changes and the process context; importing, by one or more
processors, the recorded set of variable changes into a simulator;
and executing, by one or more processors, the simulator, to
simulate a running sequence of the process using the recorded set
of variable changes and the process context.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein recording a set of variable
changes and a process context, comprises: receiving, by one or more
processors, variable information comprising a variable name and a
variable type; searching, by one or more processors, a set of read
and write variable points in a process template; and tagging, by
one or more processors, the set of read and write variable points
in the process template.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein executing the simulator, to
simulate a running sequence of the process using the recorded set
of variable changes and the process context, comprises: receiving,
by one or more processors, the set of variable changes; setting, by
one or more processors, a plurality of breakpoints on the process,
based on the set of variable changes at the tagged set of read and
write variable points; initiating, by one or more processors, a
simulated instance of the process, for debugging, wherein the
simulated instance of the process comprises a similar set of
variable change sequences as the running sequence of the process;
determining, by one or more processors, whether the simulated
instance of the process for debugging stops at one of the plurality
of breakpoints; and in response to determining the simulated
instance of the process for debugging stops at one of the plurality
of breakpoints, sending, by one or more processors, a continue
signal to a debugger, wherein the continue signal is based on the
set of variable changes in the running sequence of the process.
4. The method of claim 2, wherein a variable inspector module maps
the set of read and write variable points to a code snippet.
5. The method of claim 2, further comprising: executing, by one or
more processors, the process, wherein executing the process
triggers a recording of a change in value to the set of variable
changes to a timeline, wherein the timeline comprises an ordered
set of information associated with the change in value to the set
of variable changes.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the recorded timeline is
executed, in a simulation environment, during execution of the
simulator.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the simulation of a running
sequence of the process using the recorded set of variable changes
and the process context executes on a parallel processing node.
8. A computer program product for simulating variable changes, the
computer program product comprising: a computer readable storage
medium and program instructions stored on the computer readable
storage medium, the program instructions comprising: program
instructions to, during runtime of a process, record a set of
variable changes to a process context; program instructions to
filter sensitive content from the set of variable changes and the
process context; program instructions to import the recorded set of
variable changes into a simulator; and program instructions to
execute the simulator, to simulate a running sequence of the
process using the recorded set of variable changes and the process
context.
9. The computer program product of claim 8, wherein the program
instructions to record a set of variable changes and a process
context comprise: program instructions to receive variable
information comprising a variable name and a variable type; program
instructions to search a set of read and write variable points in a
process template; and program instructions to tag the set of read
and write variable points in the process template.
10. The computer program product of claim 9, wherein the program
instructions to execute the simulator, to simulate a running
sequence of the process using the recorded set of variable changes
and the process context, comprise: program instructions to receive
the set of variable changes; program instructions to set a
plurality of breakpoints on the process, based on the set of
variable changes at the tagged set of read and write variable
points; program instructions to initiate a simulated instance of
the process, for debugging, wherein the simulated instance of the
process comprises a similar set of variable change sequences as the
running sequence of the process; program instructions to determine
whether the simulated instance of the process for debugging stops
at one of the plurality of breakpoints; and program instructions
to, in response to determining the simulated instance of the
process for debugging stops at one of the plurality of breakpoints,
send a continue signal to a debugger, wherein the continue signal
is based on the set of variable changes in the running sequence of
the process.
11. The computer program product of claim 9, wherein a variable
inspector module maps the set of read and write variable points to
a code snippet.
12. The computer program product of claim 9, further comprising:
program instructions to execute the process, wherein the program
instructions to execute the process triggers a recording of a
change in value to the set of variable changes to a timeline, and
wherein the timeline comprises an ordered set of information
associated with the change in value to the set of variable
changes.
13. The computer program product of claim 12, wherein the recorded
timeline is executed, in a simulation environment, during execution
of the simulator.
14. The computer program product of claim 8, wherein the simulation
of a running sequence of the process using the recorded set of
variable changes and the process context executes on a parallel
processing node.
15. A computer system for simulating variable changes, the computer
system comprising: one or more computer processors; one or more
computer readable storage media; and program instructions stored on
the one or more computer readable storage media for execution by at
least one of the one or more processors, the program instructions
comprising: a computer readable storage medium and program
instructions stored on the computer readable storage medium, the
program instructions comprising: program instructions to, during
runtime of a process, record a set of variable changes to a process
context; program instructions to filter sensitive content from the
set of variable changes and the process context; program
instructions to import the recorded set of variable changes into a
simulator; and program instructions to execute the simulator, to
simulate a running sequence of the process using the recorded set
of variable changes and the process context.
16. The computer system of claim 15, wherein the program
instructions to record a set of variable changes and a process
context comprise: program instructions to receive variable
information comprising a variable name and a variable type; program
instructions to search a set of read and write variable points in a
process template; and program instructions to tag the set of read
and write variable points in the process template.
17. The computer system of claim 16, wherein the program
instructions to execute the simulator, to simulate a running
sequence of the process using the recorded set of variable changes
and the process context, comprise: program instructions to receive
the set of variable changes; program instructions to set a
plurality of breakpoints on the process, based on the set of
variable changes at the tagged set of read and write variable
points; program instructions to initiate a simulated instance of
the process, for debugging, wherein the simulated instance of the
process comprises a similar set of variable change sequences as the
running sequence of the process; program instructions to determine
whether the simulated instance of the process for debugging stops
at one of the plurality of breakpoints; and program instructions
to, in response to determining the simulated instance of the
process for debugging stops at one of the plurality of breakpoints,
send a continue signal to a debugger, wherein the continue signal
is based on the set of variable changes in the running sequence of
the process.
18. The computer system of claim 16, wherein a variable inspector
module maps the set of read and write variable points to a code
snippet.
19. The computer system of claim 16, further comprising: program
instructions to execute the process, wherein the program
instructions to execute the process triggers a recording of a
change in value to the set of variable changes to a timeline, and
wherein the timeline comprises an ordered set of information
associated with the change in value to the set of variable
changes.
20. The computer system of claim 19, wherein the recorded timeline
is executed, in a simulation environment, during execution of the
simulator.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of
software debugging, and more particularly to simulating process
variable changes during process runtime for debugging.
[0002] In an electronic workflow management system, a workflow can
be defined as a sequence of concatenated steps to carry out
predefined tasks or activities. A workflow can depict a sequence of
electronic operations. A typical workflow management system has two
components: a design component and a runtime component. The design
component typically allows a user to define a process using
elements, such as nodes. The runtime component is often responsible
for processing data according to one or more workflow processes
defined by an end user, using the design components. Often, a
workflow engine needs to track and monitor the change in data.
[0003] It is common for both a customer and a support team to
reproduce problems in another environment for debugging, which may
be caused by variable changes. Variables may include both global
variables and local variables, and variables can be changed by a
service, an output of an event, by a script, and/or by an API.
SUMMARY
[0004] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a
method, computer program product, and computer system for
simulating variable changes are provided. The method comprises:
during runtime of a process, recording, by one or more processors,
a set of variable changes and a process context; filtering, by one
or more processors, sensitive content from the set of variable
changes and the process context; importing, by one or more
processors, the recorded set of variable changes into a simulator;
and executing, by one or more processors, the simulator, to
simulate a running sequence of the process using the recorded set
of variable changes and the process context.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 depicts a block diagram illustrating a processing
environment, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0006] FIG. 2A depicts a flowchart illustrating operational steps
for inspecting and recording process variable changes during
process runtime, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0007] FIG. 2B depicts a flowchart illustrating operational steps
for using a process variable inspector to record process variable
changes and to process context, in accordance with an embodiment of
the present invention;
[0008] FIG. 2C depicts a flowchart illustrating operational steps
for invoking a process engine simulator to simulate a process
running sequence, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0009] FIG. 3 depicts an example customer environment of a process
error caused by variables, in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention;
[0010] FIG. 4 depicts an example environment in which a process
variable inspector maps variable points to code snippets, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 5A depicts an example environment in which a process
variable inspector records variable points by a timeline, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0012] FIGS. 5B and 5C depict example tables of process variable
change data structures and variable value data structures,
respectively, of the variable changes in FIG. 5A, in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 6 depicts an example environment in which sensitive
content is filtered, in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention;
[0014] FIG. 7 depicts an example simulation process running
sequence for parallel processing nodes, in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention; and
[0015] FIG. 8 depicts a block diagram of components of a computing
device, in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and
methods for inspecting process variable changes during process
runtime in a customer environment, in order to help a user
effectively check a process problem (e.g., a bug) by reproducing
the process instance containing the problem in a simulation
environment.
[0017] The present invention will now be described in detail with
reference to the Figures. FIG. 1 depicts a block diagram
illustrating a processing environment, generally designated 100, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Modifications to processing environment 100 may be made by those
skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the
invention as recited by the claims. In an exemplary embodiment,
processing environment 100 includes customer environment 110 and
simulation environment 140.
[0018] In this exemplary embodiment, customer environment 110
includes process administrator 102, process engine 112, process
variable changes 120, and process context 130. Process engine 112
includes process instance 114, process variable inspector 116, and
process content filter 118.
[0019] Process instance 114 is the current process instance running
in process engine 112. Process variable inspector 116 inspects
process variable changes during process runtime. Process content
filter 118 can be used by process administrator 102 to filter
sensitive content from process variable changes 120 and process
context 130. Process variable changes 120 record the process
variable changes during process runtime, and process context 130
records the input and output of each processing node.
[0020] Simulation environment 140 includes user 104, process engine
simulator 142, process variable import tool 150, and process engine
debugger 160. In this exemplary embodiment, user 104 can be a
process developer, process engine tester, process engine developer,
or any other type of user which can import process variable changes
120 into process engine simulator 142, in order to reproduce a
problem (e.g., a bug). User 104 can use process variable import
tool 150 to import process variable changes 120 into process engine
simulator 142, which then simulates the imported process instance.
Process engine debugger 160 can communicate with process engine
simulator 142 to debug the imported process instance in a
step-by-step manner.
[0021] FIG. 2A depicts a flowchart illustrating operational steps
for inspecting and recording process variable changes 120 during
process runtime, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0022] In step 202, process administrator 102 finds a process error
which is caused by a variable. In this exemplary embodiment, after
analyzing the process error according to business logic, process
administrator 102 may determine that the error is caused by the
wrong variable value. In some embodiments, the analysis of the
process error is performed by a human. An example of a process
error caused by a variable is further depicted in FIG. 3.
[0023] In step 204, process administrator 102 uses process variable
inspector 116 to record process variable changes 120 and process
context 130. In an embodiment, process administrator 102 invokes
the operational steps of FIG. 2B for using process variable
inspector 116 to record variable changes 120 and process context
130 (described in further detail below).
[0024] In step 206, process administrator 102 uses process content
filter 118 to filter sensitive content. For example, personal
information or other sensitive content may be filtered from process
variables by process content filter 118. This is further depicted
with respect to FIG. 6.
[0025] In step 208, user 104 uses process variable import tool 150
to import process variable changes 120 into process engine
simulator 142, in order to check a problem.
[0026] In step 210, user 104 invokes process engine simulator 142
to simulate the process running sequence using process variable
changes 120 and process context 130. In an embodiment, user 104
invokes the process running sequence of FIG. 2C (discussed below)
to simulate the process running sequence using process variable
changes 120 and process context 130.
[0027] FIG. 2B depicts a flowchart illustrating operational steps
for using a process variable inspector 116 to record process
variable changes 120 and to process context 130, in accordance with
an embodiment of the present invention.
[0028] In step 220, process administrator 102 inputs variable
information into process variable inspector 116. The variable
information may include the variable name and the variable type
(e.g., global or local).
[0029] In step 222, process variable inspector 116 searches the
read and write variable points in the process template, and adds
tags to the searched read and write variable points.
[0030] In step 224, process administrator 102 reruns the process.
In this exemplary embodiment, the process is rerun in order to
record variable changes (i.e., each tagged read and write variable
point) and to process context.
[0031] In step 226, process variable inspector 116 records process
context 130 after the process is rerun.
[0032] In step 228, process variable inspector 116 records variable
changes 120 after the process is rerun.
[0033] In step 230, the subroutine returns to step 206 of FIG.
2A.
[0034] FIG. 2C depicts a flowchart illustrating operational steps
for invoking a process engine simulator 142 to simulate a process
running sequence, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0035] In step 240, process engine simulator 142 receives process
variable changes 120 from user 104.
[0036] In step 242, process engine simulator 142 sets breakpoints
on the process. In this exemplary embodiment, the breakpoints are
set according to the received variable changes at each tagged read
and write variable point.
[0037] In step 244, process engine simulator 142 starts a process
instance for debugging. In some embodiments, variable changes and
process context can be inspected in the customer environment 110,
which can be used for static analysis, without simulating in
process engine debugger 160.
[0038] In step 246, process engine simulator 142 determines whether
a process instance stops at the breakpoint.
[0039] If, in step 246, process engine simulator 142 determines
that the process instance stops at the breakpoint, then, in step
248, process engine simulator 142 sends a continue signal to
process engine debugger 160, according to the process variable
change sequence.
[0040] If, in step 246, process engine simulator 142 determines
that the process instance does not stop at the breakpoint, then the
operational steps end.
[0041] FIG. 3 depicts an example customer environment of a process
error caused by variables, in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0042] As depicted in FIG. 3, the customer environment includes a
process instance 114, which includes nodes 302A-G. Node 302E
includes subprocess 304, with nodes 306A-C, and node 306A includes
subprocess 308 with nodes 310A-B. In this example, the process
fails at node 304F, which may be caused by an error in the read and
write variable sequence of nodes 302C-E (i.e., the three previous
process nodes to node 302F).
[0043] FIG. 4 depicts an example environment in which a process
variable inspector 116 maps variable points to code snippets, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0044] As depicted in FIG. 4, process variable inspector 116 maps
the read and write variable points to code snippets, after
recording the variable changes (i.e., each tagged read and write
variable point, where the tagged read variables are marked with
white plus signs and the tagged write variables are marked with
shaded plus signs). Process variable changes 120 include main
process 402 and variable value 404. At an example tagged read point
410A, process variable inspector 116 records the read variable code
snippet 406, which reads in a variable and the corresponding
variable value, and at an example tagged write point 410B, process
variable inspector 116 records the write variable code snippet 408,
which writes a value for the variable change and the corresponding
variable value.
[0045] FIG. 5A depicts an example environment in which a process
variable inspector 116 records variable points by a timeline, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0046] The process may read or update a variable at any point, and
each change in variable value for the variables is recorded when
the process executes. The variable changes trigger a recorder to
record the timeline of variables changing, and all recorded
variable changes are then constructed into the timeline for each of
the variables, e.g., when and which code snippet changes the
variable, the value of the variables, etc. The recorded timeline
can be used for static analysis, and playback at a later point in
time, in the simulation environment 140.
[0047] In this exemplary embodiment, all process variable changes
120 recorded to code snippets (i.e., read variable code snippet 406
and write variable code snippet 408 of FIG. 4) are constructed as a
timeline for the variables, for example, at which point in time and
which code changed the variable, the variable values, etc. For
example, each variable change is marked with an identification,
p1-p8, which denotes the point in time the process variable change
is recorded (e.g., identification p1 recorded first, then
identification p2, etc.). The recorded timeline can be used for
static analysis and playback in process engine debugger 160 at a
later time. As depicted in FIG. 5A, read and write variable
changes, including the main process 502 and variable value 504, are
recorded for the main process 502, and its subprocesses.
[0048] FIGS. 5B and 5C depict example tables of process variable
change data structures and variable value data structures,
respectively, of the variable changes in FIG. 5A, in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0049] As depicted in FIGS. 5B and 5C, process variable changes and
variable values are recorded in a table format, to accompany the
recorded read and write variables points of FIG. 5A. In FIG. 5B,
each process variable change identification (i.e., p1-p8) is
recorded, along with relevant data associated with the process
variable change. For example, the identification p1 is associated
with a name 532 (e.g., Main.A.va), a timestamp 534 (e.g.,
2015-06-26T09:56:50.150), a process 536 (e.g., Main), a process
node 538 (e.g., A), a type 540 (e.g., Write), a variable type 542
(e.g., Global), and a code snippet 544.
[0050] FIG. 5C displays the recorded variable values in a table
format. For example, between the start point 554 and end point 556
of identification p1 in FIG. 5A, the variable value 552 (variable
value 504 in FIG. 5A) is null, and between the start point 554 of
identification p1 and end point 556 of identification p5 of FIG.
5A, the variable value 552 (variable value 504 in FIG. 5A) is
0.
[0051] FIG. 6 depicts an example environment in which sensitive
content is filtered, in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0052] As depicted in the example of FIG. 6, process content filter
118 takes the initial variable content 602 and filters the
sensitive content from process variable changes 120 and process
context 130. For example, sensitive information could include the
address, phone number, and personal identification number of a
user. Process content filter 118 can identify this personal
information, and filter out the personal information to updated
variable content 604, so as not to show up in later processing
stages.
[0053] FIG. 7 depicts an example simulation process running
sequence for parallel processing nodes, in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0054] Process engine simulator 142 communicates with process
engine debugger 160, using the set breakpoints, based on the
process variable changes to simulate the same process variable
change sequence as the runtime process. Process engine simulator
142 controls process engine debugger 160 by instructing process
engine debugger 160 where to set the breakpoints, what context and
variable values to set, and which breakpoints in parallel paths
should be executed first. For example, as depicted in FIG. 7, there
are several breakpoints 802A-F (p3-p8, respectively), which are set
based on process variable changes. When process engine simulator
142 starts to simulate the process (i.e., step 210 of FIG. 2A), it
sends a "start" command to process engine debugger 160 (i.e., step
244 of FIG. 2C). Process engine debugger 160 then stops at
breakpoints 802A (p3), 802B (p4), and 802C (p5), and returns the
values recorded at the breakpoints to process engine simulator 142.
Process engine simulator 142 chooses the headmost breakpoint (802A
in this example) in the breakpoints that process engine debugger
160 returned, and sends a "continue breakpoint 802A (p3)" command
to process engine debugger 160, to continue to simulate the process
(i.e., step 248 of FIG. 2C). Process engine simulator 142 and
process engine debugger 160 continue to communicate with each other
in this manner, until the last breakpoints are hit (p8 in this
example), and then ends the communication.
[0055] FIG. 8 depicts a block diagram of internal and external
components of a computing device, generally designated 800, which
is representative of components of FIG. 1, in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention. It should be appreciated that
FIG. 8 provides only an illustration of one implementation and does
not imply any limitations with regard to the environments in which
different embodiments may be implemented. Many modifications to the
depicted environment may be made.
[0056] Computing device 800 includes communications fabric 802,
which provides communications between computer processor(s) 804,
memory 806, cache 816, persistent storage 808, communications unit
810, and input/output (I/O) interface(s) 812. Communications fabric
802 can be implemented with any architecture designed for passing
data and/or control information between processors (such as
microprocessors, communications and network processors, etc.),
system memory, peripheral devices, and any other hardware
components within a system. For example, communications fabric 802
can be implemented with one or more buses.
[0057] Memory 806 and persistent storage 808 are computer-readable
storage media. In this embodiment, memory 806 includes random
access memory (RAM). In general, memory 806 can include any
suitable volatile or non-volatile computer readable storage media.
Cache 816 is a fast memory that enhances the performance of
processors 804 by holding recently accessed data, and data near
recently accessed data, from memory 806.
[0058] Program instructions and data used to practice embodiments
of the present invention may be stored in persistent storage 808
and in memory 806 for execution by one or more of the respective
processors 804 via cache 816. In an embodiment, persistent storage
808 includes a magnetic hard disk drive. Alternatively, or in
addition to a magnetic hard disk drive, persistent storage 808 can
include a solid state hard drive, a semiconductor storage device,
read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory
(EPROM), flash memory, or any other computer readable storage media
that is capable of storing program instructions or digital
information.
[0059] The media used by persistent storage 808 may also be
removable. For example, a removable hard drive may be used for
persistent storage 808. Other examples include optical and magnetic
disks, thumb drives, and smart cards that are inserted into a drive
for transfer onto another computer readable storage medium that is
also part of persistent storage 808.
[0060] Communications unit 810, in these examples, provides for
communications with other data processing systems or devices,
including resources of a network. In these examples, communications
unit 810 includes one or more network interface cards.
Communications unit 810 may provide communications through the use
of either or both physical and wireless communications links.
Program instructions and data used to practice embodiments of the
present invention may be downloaded to persistent storage 808
through communications unit 810.
[0061] I/O interface(s) 812 allows for input and output of data
with other devices that may be connected to computing device 800.
For example, I/O interface 812 may provide a connection to external
devices 818 such as a keyboard, keypad, a touch screen, and/or some
other suitable input device. External devices 818 can also include
portable computer-readable storage media such as, for example,
thumb drives, portable optical or magnetic disks, and memory cards.
Software and data used to practice embodiments of the present
invention (e.g., software and data) can be stored on such portable
computer-readable storage media and can be loaded onto persistent
storage 808 via I/O interface(s) 812. I/O interface(s) 812 also
connect to a display 820.
[0062] Display 820 provides a mechanism to display data to a user
and may be, for example, a computer monitor, or a television
screen.
[0063] The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a
computer program product. The computer program product may include
a computer readable storage medium (or media) having computer
readable program instructions thereon for causing a processor to
carry out aspects of the present invention.
[0064] The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible
device that can retain and store instructions for use by an
instruction execution device. The computer readable storage medium
may be, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic storage
device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, an
electromagnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage device, or
any suitable combination of the foregoing. A non-exhaustive list of
more specific examples of the computer readable storage medium
includes the following: a portable computer diskette, a hard disk,
a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable
programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), a static
random access memory (SRAM), a portable compact disc read-only
memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a memory stick, a
floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such as punch-cards or
raised structures in a groove having instructions recorded thereon,
and any suitable combination of the foregoing. A computer readable
storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construed as being
transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freely
propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves
propagating through a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g.,
light pulses passing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical
signals transmitted through a wire.
[0065] Computer readable program instructions described herein can
be downloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a
computer readable storage medium or to an external computer or
external storage device via a network, for example, the Internet, a
local area network, a wide area network and/or a wireless network.
The network may comprise copper transmission cables, optical
transmission fibers, wireless transmission, routers, firewalls,
switches, gateway computers and/or edge servers. A network adapter
card or network interface in each computing/processing device
receives computer readable program instructions from the network
and forwards the computer readable program instructions for storage
in a computer readable storage medium within the respective
computing/processing device.
[0066] Computer readable program instructions for carrying out
operations of the present invention may be assembler instructions,
instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine
instructions, machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware
instructions, state-setting data, or either source code or object
code written in any combination of one or more programming
languages, including an object oriented programming language such
as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, and conventional procedural
programming languages, such as the "C" programming language or
similar programming languages. The computer readable program
instructions may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on
the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on
the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on
the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote
computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type
of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area
network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external
computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet
Service Provider). In some embodiments, electronic circuitry
including, for example, programmable logic circuitry,
field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or programmable logic arrays
(PLA) may execute the computer readable program instructions by
utilizing state information of the computer readable program
instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry, in order to
perform aspects of the present invention.
[0067] Aspects of the present invention are described herein with
reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of
methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products
according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood
that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block
diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations
and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer readable
program instructions.
[0068] These computer readable program instructions may be provided
to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose
computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to
produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via
the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing
apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts
specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
These computer readable program instructions may also be stored in
a computer readable storage medium that can direct a computer, a
programmable data processing apparatus, and/or other devices to
function in a particular manner, such that the computer readable
storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises an
article of manufacture including instructions which implement
aspects of the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block
diagram block or blocks.
[0069] The computer readable program instructions may also be
loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing
apparatus, or other device to cause a series of operational steps
to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or
other device to produce a computer implemented process, such that
the instructions which execute on the computer, other programmable
apparatus, or other device implement the functions/acts specified
in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
[0070] The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate
the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible
implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products
according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this
regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent
a module, segment, or portion of instructions, which comprises one
or more executable instructions for implementing the specified
logical function(s). In some alternative implementations, the
functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in
the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in
fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may
sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the
functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of
the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations
of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can
be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that
perform the specified functions or acts or carry out combinations
of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.
[0071] The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present
invention have been presented for purposes of illustration, but are
not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments
disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to
those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope
and spirit of the invention. The terminology used herein was chosen
to best explain the principles of the embodiment, the practical
application or technical improvement over technologies found in the
marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to
understand the embodiments disclosed herein.
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